A stolen vehicle trafficking ring has been dismantled and four people have been charged after an investigation involving an auto shop in Vaughan.
York Regional Police's auto/cargo theft unit began investigating Royals Custom vehicle shop on Ritin Lane in Vaughan in November. On Dec. 1 search warrants were executed at the shop and one of the suspect's home.
Officers located several stolen vehicles that had their vehicle identification numbers altered (re-vinned) including two Range Rovers, a 2022 Mercedes G Wagon AMG, and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Police also found license plates, re-vinning equipment, documents for changing vehicle registration, key fobs for reprogramming and three semi-automatic handguns with magazines and ammunition.
Four people were arrested. Christian Pangan, 27, Kevin Abaya, 29, and Chrisjann Doria, 23, all of Toronto, as well as Shawn Starr, 25, from East Gwillimbury, are charged with the following:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x2
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm with Ammunition x2
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing Possession is Unauthorized x2
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm x2
- Tampering with Serial Number of a Firearm
- Tampering with a Vehicle Identification Number
York Regional Police said there has been an increase in vehicle thefts over the past several years. To protect yourself from theft, YRP recommends drivers park in a locked garage when possible, use a steering wheel lock, install a lock on the data port, and consider getting a quality video surveillance system.
